The Generals Hold On

Thailand's military loses a battle but is not ready to retreat

The thousands of Thais who took to the streets in the name of democracy last month had two objectives: to force the resignation of an unelected army officer as Prime Minister and, more broadly, to end the military's dominance of politics. After great bloodshed, the demonstrators won on the first score when Suchinda Kraprayoon stepped down from the premiership. The official count of those killed when troops opened fire on protesters stands at 53 but an Interior Ministry spokesman said last week that more than 500 people are still unaccounted for.